Cryptographic type-writing machine.



K. AMMON.

CRYPTOGRAPHIC TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.2a.I9I4.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

COLUMBIA PLANDCIRAPH ca.,w^S!i|NGTON. D. c.

K. AIVIMON.

CRYPTOGRAPHIC TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.28, I9I4- Mad/wv M WM,

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFTCE.

KARL AMMON, OF BERLIN- TEMFELHOR GERMANY.

CRYPTOGRAPHIC TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed January 28, 1914.

To all whom i may concern Be it known that I, KARL AMMON, a citi- Zen of the Empire of Germany, residing at Berlinerstr. 48, Berlin-Tempelhof, Germany, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cryptographic Type-VVriting Machines, of which the following is a specication.

This invention relates to cryptographic typewriting machines of that type in which a device adjusted according to a code word iniuences the cryptogram.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an improved machine constructed on a new system which facilitates the ciphering of the text and the deciphering of the same by an authorized person, but renders the same more difficult to an unauthorized person.

Other objects are to provide improved devices for influencing the cryptogram, and to improve the reliability of operation of the machine and to prevent the same being damaged by unskilled manipulation.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of parts described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

One illustrative embodiment of the invention is diagrammatically represented by way of example in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure l is a perspective view of the entire' typewriter, parts thereof being omitted or broken away, Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the code mechanism, Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the latter, and Fig. t is a perspective view of the code mechanism together with a casing for protecting the same.

Referring to the drawing, a carriage 2 can be displaced in known manner on the frame 1, z'. c. toward the right by hand and toward the left by depressing keys by means of mechanism not shown in the drawing. The carriage 2 carries the platen 3 opposite which is the writing device proper comprising the type-carrier 20 which is fast on a rod 2l rotatable in the bearing 22 mounted to rock in the direction of the platen. The suspension of this bearing in the frame is not shown in the drawing, and all those parts of the machine which are not requisite for understanding the invention are omitted for the sake of clearness. The rod 2l carries a? 'pinion :25 meshing with a Specification of Letters atcnt.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

serial No. 814,891.

toothed rack 26. The bearing 22 has a lug 29 on which a U-member 30, rocking about the shaft 31, bears at a predetermined moment and rocks the type-carrier in the direction of the platen. The shaft 3l, on which the key-levers 35 are also mounted, is rotatable in the frame l and in a bearing 32 mounted in suitable manner. The U-member 30 is pressed downward against the action of a spring 33 as soon as one of the keys 35 is depressed.

An important part of the writing mechanism is the known sheet-metal member' 28 which is provided with various notches and is arranged slidable to the left and right in the frame l. Vhenever one of the keys 35 is depressed this member 2S is shifted to the right or left according to the key which has been depressed. The manner in which this member 2S acts on the type-carrier 2O is described hereinafter.

The carriage 2 carries also the code mechanism 4 which will now be described. comprises a shaft 7 which is journaled in the bearings 5 and 6 and can be axially shifted a short distance. Fast on this shaft aretwo end disks 8 provided on their peripheries with the letters a to e. As shown in Figs. land l the so-called ciphering and decipher-ing disks 9 and l0, respectively, are carried by the shaft 7 between the two lettered disks S. EachA ciphering disk 9 is rigidlyT connectedy with a deciphering disk l0 (Figs. 2 and Fach of these pairs of disks is rotatable on the shaft 7, so that the pairs of disks can be shifted as desired relatively to one another. The disks have holes l1, so that when the disks have been ad- `iusted as desired they can be fixed by means of a rod l2 which passes through all the holes ll and through the two end disks 8. Each of the disks 9, l0 is provided on its periphery with steps 13 which may be regular so that the periphery of each disk forms a spiral line (Fig. 2). The individual steps may, however, be irregular if desired. This code mechanism is normally protected by a casing (sce Fig. i) 4through whose aperture the letters on one of the end disks 8 can be seen. A

As mentioned above, the code mechanism can be rotated and shifted axially a shortJ distance. In order to hold it in either of its two axial positions two levers l-l and l5 are provided fulcrumed 0.1.1 the bearing 6 When the lever 14 is rocked downward it takes into the' groove 16 in the shaft 7, so that the latter cannot be axially shifted.

When lever is rocked downward, after v callydisplaceable in the guide 45. The pinion 42 fast on the axle 41 meshes with the rack 43, and the pinion 40 fast on the same axle meshes with the rack 38 which a spring 39 tends to pull toward the right. Conse-l quently, the spring 39tends to drive the rod 44 upward. According to the position of the carriage 2 the rod 44 abuts against one of the steps of one of the disks 9, 10, so that the action of the spring 39 is a limited one depending on the position of that disk under which the rod 44 is located. The bent end of the rack 38 takes over the bent end of a rod 48 and a spring, not shown, tends to pull the two rods together. The rod 48 is provided with a toothed portion or rack 26 which meshes with the pinion 25 of the typecarrier 20. It will be readily understood that the position of the type-,carrier 20 at any time depends on the position of the feeler at the same time.

The rod 48 is provided Vwith another toothed portion or rack 27 which is located opposite the rack 26 and meshes with the pinion 51 fast on an axle 53 which carries at its bottom end a toothed wheel 52. As`

position 54 of the notched member 28 it4 follows that when the rack 26 is shifted longitudinally, the axle 53 and the wheels 51 and 52 can rotate without the member 28 being influenced. This is very important for the understanding of the mode of operation of the machine described hereinafter.

A lever 60 is connected at one end by means of a link 61 in such a manner with the U-meinber 30 that when this member is depressed by a key-lever the said end of the lever 60 is moved downward and the other end 62, carrying a catch 65, upward. For this purpose the lever 60 is fulcrumed approximately in the middle in the bearing 63 mounted on the bottom-of the frame 1. When a key is released and the member 30 rocks upward, the end 62 of the lever 60 consequently descends and the catch 65 strikes against the projecting end 66 of the rod 44. This rod is pulled downward and out of the carriage 2. As soon as the end 62 of the lever 60 has descended a certain distance, in consequence of the slanting position of the lever 60 the catch 65 slides olf the'projecting end 66 and releases the rod 44. The latter is under Athe action of the spring 39 and the'gearing 40, 41, 42 and consequently iies upward.

An important part of the machine is the key 67, 69 mounted to move vertically on the support 68. The key 67 is carried by the bar 69 having longitudinal slot through which pass pins 70 and 71 which are mounted on the support 68 and serve as guides for the bar 69. Attached to the bottom cnd of the bar 69 is a cross-bar 72 which likewise moves downward when the key 67 is depressed. For this purpose the same is arranged to slide in a suitablel guide not shown. The crossebar 72 is connected on the one hand with a pawl 74 and -on the other hand with a U-member 75. The pawl 74 takes into toothing 77 on the carriage 2 and normally prevents the carriage moving to the right. The U-member 75 is rotatably mounted in two holes 78 and 79 in the carriage 2, and it has a .projecting portion 80 which normally takes into the teeth of a wheel 81. The .code mechanism 4 is consequently normally vprevented from` rotating. It can however rotate when the keyy 67 is depressed, and the Vmember 75 is drawn downward and disengaged from the wheel 8l. As the rod 72 influenced by the key 67 bears at a predetermined moment on the projecting end 66 of the feeler 44, when the key 67 is depressed the feeler 44 is removed from the code mechanism. The object of the entire arrangement last described is to prevent the Icode mechanism from being rotated before the feeler is disengaged from it. Another important part of the machine is the coupling Vand uncoupling device between the displaceable notched member 28 and the type-carrier 20. This device substantially consists of the above mentioned wheel 52 fast on the axle 53 journaled in the member 28. The pinion 51 is also fast on the same axle 53 and meshes with the rack 27. Further, a catch 86 is rotatably mounted in suitable manner, not shown, on the member 28. One end 86 of this catch normally bears on the U-member' 87 whose arms 88 are mounted to rock inan extension of the member 28. A spring 91 tends to press the arm 86 of thefcatch 86 downward and to disengage the ycatch from the wheel 52. The arm 86 is prevented from rocking, however, as long as it is held by the member 87. Only when this member itself rocks downward does it release the arm'86 which ycan then rock downward under the influence of the spring' 91 and allow the catch 86 to engage with the wheel 52. v

The member 87 is normally pressed upward by a lug 94 of a lever 93. Only when the end 98 ofthe lever 93, which rocks about the axle 96 rocks downward is the member 87 able to rock downward with the above mentioned result. The end 98 is connected with the lever 93 not rigidly, but elastically, so that it can rise somewhat from the same. In addition, as shown in the drawing, this end 98 has a. hole into which the end 97 of a leverl 102 normally takes. This lever 102 is rigidly connected with the U-member 30 and therefore, when a key 35 is depressed, moves downward with this member. Consequently, the end 98 is then moved away from the end 97 of the lever 102 against the action of the spring 100. As soon as the end 98 of the lever 93 bears onthe slanting fixed stop 99 the end 97 of the one lever is disconnected from the end 98 of the other, and the latter end rocks back into its initial position under the influence of the spring 100. W'hen the key 35 is released the lever 102 rocks back into its initial position, its end 97 moves over the end 98 of the lever 93 and the connection is made again. Obviously it is preferable to limit the movements of the lever 102 by means of a suitable stop as indicated in the drawing.

Now as soon as a key is depressed and the catch 86 takes into the wheel 52, not only is the notched member 28 shifted longitudinally, but the axle 53 journaled therein and the wheels 52, 51 as well as the racks 27 26 are simultaneously shifted; consequently, the type-carrier 20 is rotated through the medium of the wheel 52. After a key-lever and consequently the Umember 30 has arrived into its lowest position the return movement into the initial position begins; the engagement between the pawl 86 and the wheel 52 is done away with in the above described manner. The return of the lever 102 into its initial position causes the notched member 28 also to return into its original position. For this purpose the member 28 is provided with two slanting lugs 105, 106, on one of which the lever 102 acts, according as the member has been shifted to the right or left, and returns it into its initial position.

As mentioned above, the disks 9 and 10 of each pair of disks are firmly connected to gether and the disks are so placed relatively to one another that, for example, the disks 9 act as ciphering disks and the disks 10 as deciphering disks. When it is wished to change from the ciphering into the deciphering position it is necessary only to shift the code mechanism axially a small amount. It is obvious that the arrangement must be such that the feeler or rod 44 coacts in the one case only with the ciphering, and in the other case only with the deciphering disks.

The described machine operates as follows: Let it be assumed that the carriage 2 has been shifted as far as possible to the right. This position corresponds to the position when beginning a new line, and the 9, 10 corresponding to a code word are arranged in a row on the shaft 7 and are connected in this position by means of the rod 12. The rack 38 is pulled to the right by the spring 39; the wheels 40, 42 are hereby rotated and consequently the feeler 44 is moved upward by means of the rack 43 until it abuts against the disk 9 opposite it. As the rack 38 drives the bar 48 and consequently the rack 26, the type-carrier 20 is rotated out of its normal position. lt is obvious that this change in position of the type-carrier relatively to its normal position depends on the adjustment of the cipher-ing disk 9. Consequently the typecarrier has a predetermined starting position before a key is depressed.

Then a key is depressed the U-member 30 is rocked downward and drives with it the lever 102. The catch 86 is hereby thrown into engagement with the toothed wheel 52 in the manner described above. During the further movement downward of the depressed key it takes into one of the notches in the member 28 and shifts the latter longitudinally, toward the left for eX- ample. During the movement of the member 28 the axle 53 and the wheels 51 and 52 are driven and consequently the racks 27, 26 also. The pinion 25 is hereby rotated and the type-carrier 20 is consequently rotated farther a distance corresponding to the key which has been depressed. Owing to the movement of the rod 48 the rack 38 and also the feeler 44 is influenced, the latter being pulled downward in the present case.

-Shortly before the key has been completely depressed the U-member 30 abuts against the lug 29 of the bearing l22, so that this rocks against the action of a spring, not shown, in the direction of the platen and the type-carrier 20 strikes against the latter. The written letter corresponds to the double rotary movement of the type-carrier, namely the movement in consequence of the feeler 44 being influenced and that due to the depression of the key. As soon as the U-member 30 is completely depressed the elastic end 98 of the lever 93 bears on the stop 99 and is consequently disengaged from the end 97 of the lever 102. The lever 93 consequently rocks back under the influence of the spring 100 into its initial position and moves the member 87 upward against the action of the spring 91. The catch 86 is consequently disengaged from the wheel 52.

When the depressed. key is released the U- member80 returns under the action of the springBS into its normal position. That end 62 of the lever 60 which moved upward when the member 30 descended now descends and coacts with the bent end 66 of the feeler 44.` The latter is pressed downward until it no longer takes into the carriage 2. The end 62 of the lever 60 is then so low down that it slides olf the end 66 of the feeler. Consequently, the feeler 44 flies upward under the action of the spring 39. As the carriage 2 has moved one step to the left in the meantime, however, the feeler now coacts with the next ciphering disk and consequently imparts to the type-carrier a vnewstarting position in the above-described manner. The carriage is fed one step in known manner when the U-member 40 rocks backward, the well-known mechanism used for this purpose being not shown in the drawing. It is essential that thel step which the carriage moves after each key is `depressed shall be so large that the feelcr 44 always coacts with the next ciphering disk and accordingly is passsed over by the intermediate deciphering disk.

Whenever a key is, depressed the above described operations are repeated, the typecarrier being rotated out of its starting position. If the notched member 2S is to be shifted `to the right the bar 48 mustr also move to the right. Even if the feeler 44 abuts against a disk and is thereby prevented from moving farther upward provision is made that the member 28 can nevertheless move farther to the right. This is readily possible iny the illustrative embodiment because the rod 48 can move in the di-` rection of the rod 38 against the action of the above mentioned spring not shown in the drawing.

When a line has been written the code mechanism is rotated into a new position. This change in position of the code mechanism can, of course, also occur during a line. The code mechanism 4 is rotated accoi-ding to a code word preferably at the beginning 'of each new line in such a` manner that the letters of the code word become visible in succession through the aperture 4 vin the casing. The code mechanism 4 can however be rotated and the vcarriage 2 can be shifted to the right only when the key 67 is depressed and the feeler 44 is removed fromthe code mechanism. The `mode of operation ofthe locking key has been described above and consequently need not be further described here. If a ciphered communication is to be deciphered the code mechanism is shifted a short distance to the left so that the disk 17 bears against the bearing 6. The deciphering lever 15 is then rocked down and prevents the shaft 7 being shifted axially. The feeler 44 will now coact with allthe decphering disks 10 in order.`

course, so placed relatively to one another that when deciphering :the feeler 44-inuences the type-carrier the sameamount as when cipherino' but in the reverse sense. Otherwise the deciphering operation is identical with the ciphering. Whenvdeciphering, the key-board is operated according to the letters of the text in the usual manner, whereupon'the letters corresponding to the actual text appear on'the paper.

I claim f v l. In a typewriting machine forciphe'ring or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, ofa code deviceprovided both radially and axially with steps and operatively connected with the carriage, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for' actuating said printing mechanism, and means device and to influence the Vprinting mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device. y

2. In a typewriting machine fori-ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device operatively connected with the carriage and provided both radially and axially with steps, y printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, and means comprising a feeler adapted lto coact with the steps of said code device and to influence the printing mechanism independence on the position ofthe code device. p

3. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, ofma code device operatively connected therewith and comprising aplurality of like'stepped disks displaced relatively to one another, printing Amechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, and means adapted to coact withthe steps of said code device and to inluence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the rcode device.v

4. In a typewritingmachine for ciphering or deciphering, the combinationwith the carriage, of a code device operatively vconnectedy therewith and comprising a plurality of like ciphering and deciphering stepped disks displaced relatively to one another, printing mechanism, key-mechanism. for actuating said printing mechanism, and means adapted to-coact with the steps of saidcode device and to iniuence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device.` v l 5. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device operatively .connected with the carriage and provided both radially and axially with steps, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, and means comprising a feeler adapted to coact with the steps of said code device and to influence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device; said code device comprising a plurality of disks arranged in pairs, the disks of each pair being displaced 180 relatively to one another, one disk of each pair being adapted to control the feeler when ciphering and the other disks being adapted to control the eeler when deciphering.

6. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device operatively connected therewith and comprising a plurality of like ciphering and deciphering,. stepped disks displaced relatively to one another, locking means for holding the code device in two operative axial positions, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing` mechanism, and means adapted to coact with the steps of said code device and to influence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device.

7. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device provided with steps mounted thereon, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, means comprising a feeler taking` into the carriage and adapted to coact with the steps of said code device and to iniiuence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device, and means for preventing the carriage being shifted before the feeler is removed therefrom.

8. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a rotatory code device having characters on the periphery of the same operatively connected therewith, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, and means adapted to coact with said code device and to inuence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device.

9. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device operatively connected therewith, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, and means adapted to coact with said code device and to influence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device; said code device comprising a plurality of pairs of rotatable disks each having a plurality of holes, and a pin normally inserted into a hole in each disk.

l0. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device provided With steps mounted thereon, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, means comprising a feeler taking into the carriage and adapted to coact with the steps of said code device and to influence the printing mechanism in dependence on the position of the code device, means tending to drive the eeler against the code device, and means for preventing the carriage being shifted before the eeler is removed therefrom.

ll. In a typewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of a code device operatively connected therewith, a rotary type-carrier, means comprising a feeler adapted to coact with the code device for imparting to the type-carrier a new position for each character on the type-carrier, key-mechanism, and means actuated by the key-mechanism for imparting to the type-carrier another position for each character on the type-carrier in dependence on the key which is operated.

l2. In atypewriting machine for ciphering or deciphering, the combination with the carriage, of av code device operatively connected with the carriage and provided both radially and axially with steps, printing mechanism, key-mechanism for actuating said printing mechanism, means comprising a feeler adapted to coact with the steps of said code device, and resilient means operatively connecting the latter means with the key-mechanism.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

KARL AMMON.

I/Vitnesses:

VVOLDEMAR I-IAUPT, HENRY IIAsrnR.

Copie: of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, ID. C. 

